the goan I network
MARGAO
In a major decision, the SGPDA has effected a steep hike in the fees on fish transporting vehicles entering the wholesale fish market, even it resolved to make provision for a cold storage for the benefit of local boat owners and fishermen in the market upgradation project.
Opposition MLA Vijai Sardesai, however, has slammed the hike in rates, saying the new rates will further make fish dearer to the common man, a claim disputed by PDA Chairman Wilfred D’Sa.
Addressing the media after the SGDPA meeting, the PDA Chairman said the fees on fish carrying vehicles were not revised for the last 15 years, saying the hike was required to meet the maintenance cost of the wholesale fish market.
“The last time the fees were revised on the fish transporting vehicles was way back in 2005. It’s now 15 years since and the PDA thought that it was high time the rates were revised to meet the maintenance cost of the market,” he said, adding “while the revenue generated from the market is pegged at Rs 1.50 lakh per month, the PDA spends close to Rs 4.5 lakh on the market.”
As per the new rates, heavy duty trucks will have to pay Rs 500 as against the present rate of Rs 100, mini trucks from Rs 50 to Rs 200, mini pick-up van from Rs 30 to Rs 100, rickshaws from Rs 20 to Rs 50, and bamboo baskets from Rs 5-20 and boxes Rs 5-50.
Wilfred said the PDA has taken a decision to request the GSIDC to include cold storage facility in the market upgradation project.
“Local boat owners and fishermen had demanded the cold storage facility to get better rate for their fish. The PDA will take a call at a later stage whether to run the cold storage departmentally or through PPP model’, he said.
The PDA Chairperson further said a decision has been taken to provide a temporary shed for the fish cutters in the wholesale fish market. He, however, had no answer whether any steps are taken to plug the leakage of revenue from the fish cutters as each fish cutter is charged Rs 100 per day for conducting business in the market.
To another question, he said the PDA has decided to lay pavers on the parking lot and to exploit the land admeasuring 3000 square meters opposite the PDA office for commercial use. He further said the PDA plans to run a food court on the parking lot area facing the KTC-old market circle road.
Meanwhile, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai has lashed out at the SGPDA, saying the decision to hike the rates will only make fish dearer to the common man. “You cannot hike the fees by eight times even though the rates were not revised for the last 15 years’, Sardesai said.
